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The Simply Retirement Newsletter

Straightforward retirement education for women delivered to your inbox weekly. 🎙️ Host of the Simply Retirement Podcast. Whether you are divorced, widowed, or simply ready to take control of your financial future, your retirement planning needs are special.

Featured Post

Understanding The "Widow’s Penalty"

💥Next Week!💥 Webinar Alert: What the New 2025 Tax Law Means for Your Retirement Plan 📅 Tuesday, August 26, 2025 | 6:30 PM CT | Online ✅ What’s changing — and what’s not✅ Using the new $6,000 deduction for 65+✅ How to prepare before key provisions expire in 2028✅ Steps to take now with your advisor or CPA Learn More and Register here — space is limited. Understanding The Widow’s Penalty and What You Can Do About It 💬 From Episode 66: “Many women find themselves navigating complex financial...

On our last morning together, I snapped this picture as we walked home from breakfast before my daughter and granddaughter headed back home. I’m pretty sure this isn’t how a stroller is supposed to work 😆 … but the laughter made it worth it. Fortunately, they’ll be back next month for my wife’s birthday — and I can’t wait. From Family Time to Future Planning 💬 From Episode 65: “Our advantage over Uncle Sam is that we can look many years in advance. All Uncle Sam cares about is this year.” –...

I shared last week that my daughter, Kaitlyn, would be joining our retirement planning team at Blake Wealth Management. That means she and our granddaughter have been with us for the last week, so she can train and prepare for her new role. She will work remotely from home near Austin, Texas. Fortunately, that also means we have both our children at home. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy being an "empty-nester", but my heart is truly full when both our children (and grandchild) are back in the...

We’re excited to welcome my daughter, Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot, as our new Director of Operations at Blake Wealth Management beginning tomorrow, August 1st. Kaitlyn brings a natural talent for organization, communication, and client service to the role. She will oversee day-to-day operations, including managing client scheduling, coordinating transaction requests, streamlining internal workflows, and ensuring a seamless experience for every client. With a deep commitment to upholding the...

You don’t always realize you’re in the middle of something special until you have a chance to look back. My wife, Dawn, and I recently spent two full weeks taking care of our granddaughter. It was nonstop—keeping her happy, entertained, and safe. We were exhausted. But now, just a week later, I already miss hearing her little voice in the morning and the sound of her feet running through the house. It reminded me of something I share often with clients: in retirement, it’s the experiences—not...

I recently had the pleasure of joining Nancy Griffin on the Glowing Older podcast to discuss the unique financial challenges women face as they near or enter retirement—especially those who are divorced, widowed, or single by choice. We covered everything from Social Security strategies and tax-smart withdrawal planning to the emotional and behavioral aspects of money. I also shared why my work is so personal and how Blake Wealth Management helps women create a retirement plan that gives them...

This week was the first of two weeks that we are keeping our grandbaby. I've decided that the cliche about grandparents spoiling their grandchildren and sending them back to their parents is misleading. Grandparents really only have a few days of energy to keep up and have to squeeze in as much spoiling as possible before we run out of that energy. But I'll take every second. 😄 "Answering the financial questions now lets you focus more on what you want life to look like." ERIC BLAKE What’s...

We recently spent a few days with my grandmother in Amarillo, Texas, where I was born and where most of my extended family lives. My grandmother turned 90 years old a couple of months ago. She is experiencing a number of health issues, as you might expect at her age, but I truly treasure the time spent with her. Most of our time is spent watching her favorite shows (a Yellowstone marathon if we can find it) or a movie she likes, but we always end up sharing memories of my grandfather and our...

It was absolutely amazing. As my mom (her great-grandmother) said perfectly, it makes you want to laugh and cry all at the same time. Our granddaughter took her first steps on her own. What's more amazing is that we were on FaceTime with my daughter as it happened. Not the greatest picture below from the FaceTime video, but amazing nonetheless. The other image is from just about two weeks earlier, when she would walk everywhere, but only holding someone's finger. It was as if she had just...

Did you know there are several ways you can access your retirement account before age 59 1/2 without paying the 10% early withdrawal penalties? Accessing your retirement funds early doesn’t have to be a costly mistake. In this episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, I break down seven ways you may be able to withdraw from your retirement savings before age 59½ without facing that dreaded 10% early withdrawal penalty. Whether you're helping a family member, navigating a crisis, or just need...